President Bola Tinubu has emphasized the importance of improving the welfare, wages, and working conditions for Nigerian workers, recognizing them as the nation’s driving force.
In a meeting held on Thursday in Abuja with the leadership of the organized labour, including the Presidents of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo, Tinubu expressed his administration’s commitment to addressing workers’ concerns.
“I pay attention to everything around me. A happy worker is a productive worker, and society depends on the productivity of the happy worker,” said President Tinubu.
He acknowledged the need for realistic expectations regarding the minimum wage, stating, “You have to cut your coat according to available cloth. Before we can finalize the minimum wage process, we have to look at the structure.
Why must we adjust wages every five years? Why not two or three years? What is a problem today can be eased up tomorrow. There is much dynamism to this process if we are not myopic in our approaches. We can take a surgical approach that is based on pragmatism and a deep understanding of all factors.”
NLC President Joe Ajaero highlighted the need for an upward adjustment to the minimum wage, noting, “Between living wage and minimum wage, we need to find a balance. Things are difficult for the Nigerian worker.”
He also congratulated President Tinubu on the Supreme Court’s judgment affirming the constitutional rights of local governments regarding financial autonomy and other key principles.
“I have to congratulate you on the issue of local government autonomy. We have been on the streets protesting for local government autonomy. Now that there is light at the end of the tunnel, it would be ungrateful not to commend you,” Ajaero said.
TUC President Festus Osifo pointed out the adverse effects of inflation on the Naira and emphasized the importance of government measures to address the rising cost of food and transportation. He praised the rollout of Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses to help reduce transportation costs and the suspension of duties on certain food imports to lower food prices.
“We commend you on the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court. History will not forget what has happened today. With this judgment, we believe Nigeria will make progress,” Osifo stated.
